Newport News records its 7th homicide

NEWPORT NEWS — Dominique Wharton saw the man on crutches struggle with his grocery bags as he tried to get to the bus stop.

Wharton paused from walking with his father and carried the man's bags to the bus stop. About 10 minutes later, Wharton's father told him to take care and that he would see him later.

Helping the stranger was one of the last good deeds Wharton did before he was gunned down Tuesday morning at Aqueduct Apartments.

Wharton, 25, was found dead on the sidewalk shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Sojourner Court, according to police spokeswoman Holly McPherson. Wharton was shot more than once in the upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene, McPherson said. The motive is unknown, and no suspects have been arrested, according to police.

"He was easygoing, polite. He was a decent guy," said his father, Ronnie Carter. "He showed a lot of love to other people."

Wharton's death is the seventh in Newport News this year. It's the second homicide at Aqueduct Apartments in less than two months.

Danielle Knarr, 25, was stabbed to death in her apartment on Feb. 2. Her boyfriend, Owen Atlee Walker Jr., confessed to killing her, according to police, and was charged with murder.

There have been six homicides at Aqueduct Apartments in the last five years, McPherson said.

Wharton was the youngest of four children. His brother told their father that he was dead.

"I was shocked," Carter said. "I was just hoping it was a mistake. I asked, 'Are you sure?' It might not have been him."

His nickname was "Space Ghost" because people never knew where he was, his family and friends said.

"He said he was trying to get a degree to get a job," said Ashley Reid, a childhood friend. "He was tired of all this. He was tired of all the drama."

Wharton's family said he planned to attend Thomas Nelson Community College.

"It's just sad he lost his life for no reason," Reid said. "He didn't have to lose his life. He was someone who didn't bother nobody."

Wharton was shot steps away from where his cousin Tausha Wharton lives.

"I was sleep," said Wharton, 21. "When I walked out, the body was covered."